Sports Investment Forum to Be Held in Riyadh in May 2026 with Broad Global Engagement 

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (dpa)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (dpa)
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Sports Investment Forum to Be Held in Riyadh in May 2026 with Broad Global Engagement 

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (dpa)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (dpa)

The second annual Sports Investment Forum (SIF) will take place in Riyadh from May 3 to 5, 2026, drawing sports leaders, decision-makers, and investors from both within the Kingdom and across the globe, the organizing committee announced on Monday.

As a premier strategic platform, the forum reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing global presence in the sports economy. The upcoming edition will feature a comprehensive program of panel discussions, specialized workshops, a dedicated exhibition, and an agreement-signing platform.

A key highlight of the forum will be a full day for “women and sports,” which will focus on boosting the participation of women in sports and exploring the future of women’s sports regarding pertinent investments and community engagement.

The event will explore a wide range of critical topics, including the role of sports as a global economic driver, Saudi Vision 2030, building a world-class sports hub, cross-border partnerships in the sports industry, and innovation and technology in sports investment.

Other themes include sports tourism as an economic contributor, investment in women’s sports and the empowerment of female leadership, sports as a tool for social development and public health, investment in talent and emerging sports, financing and privatization in the sector, sustainable sports cities, and advancing research in women’s sports.

The SIF held its inaugural edition in April 2025, attracting more than 2,800 participants, including over 1,000 senior executives representing more than 60 countries. Over 100 speakers from around the world enriched discussions during 50 sessions and workshops.



Rybakina Beats No. 1-ranked Sabalenka to Win WTA Finals in Riyadh

Tennis - WTA Finals - Riyadh - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 8, 2025 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina celebrates with the trophy after winning the final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Tennis - WTA Finals - Riyadh - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 8, 2025 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina celebrates with the trophy after winning the final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
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Rybakina Beats No. 1-ranked Sabalenka to Win WTA Finals in Riyadh

Tennis - WTA Finals - Riyadh - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 8, 2025 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina celebrates with the trophy after winning the final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Tennis - WTA Finals - Riyadh - King Saud University Indoor Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - November 8, 2025 Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina celebrates with the trophy after winning the final match against Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq

Elena Rybakina won the WTA Finals after beating No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 (0) on Saturday.

The sixth-ranked Rybakina struck eight aces and converted the sole break of the match on the indoor hardcourt in Riyadh.

It was a second loss in the final of the season-ending tournament for Sabalenka after the four-time Grand Slam winner lost to Carlone Garcia in the 2022 title match.

Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion from Kazakhstan, was playing her first title match in her third consecutive WTA Finals appearance.

She collected $5.23 million after going 5-0 at the event featuring the top eight women. The WTA said that was the largest payout in the history of women’s sports. Sabalenka earned $2.7 million as runner-up.

Sabalenka entered the match with an 8-5 head-to-head edge over her opponent and a 22–2 record in tiebreakers this year.

Rybakina recorded her tour-best 45th hardcourt win of the season. The 26-year-old Kazakhstani became the 10th straight first-time winner of the WTA Finals.


Tottenham and Man United both Score Stoppage-time Goals in 2-2 Draw in Premier League

Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in London, England, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/lan Walton)
Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in London, England, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/lan Walton)
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Tottenham and Man United both Score Stoppage-time Goals in 2-2 Draw in Premier League

Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in London, England, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/lan Walton)
Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo, centre, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in London, England, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (AP Photo/lan Walton)

Matthijs de Ligt equalized in the sixth minute of a dramatic period of stoppage time to earn Manchester United a 2-2 draw at Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday.

Tottenham looked like claiming all three points when Richarlison glanced in a header in the first minute of added-on time, completing its comeback from a goal down, The AP news reported.

There was still time for De Ligt to find space at the back post at a corner to direct a header goalward and over the line before Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario clawed the ball away.

Trailing to Bryan Mbeumo’s 32nd-minute header, Tottenham dominated the second half and grabbed an equalizer in the 84th through substitute Mathys Tel’s shot that deflected in off De Ligt.

United extended its unbeaten run in the league to five games — three wins followed by two draws — while Tottenham has only won one of its six homes games so far.

Later, Arsenal takes a six-point lead into a match at Sunderland, while Chelsea hosts Wolverhampton in one of three other games.


Irish Governing Body Overwhelmingly Backs Call for UEFA to Ban Israel

Israeli flag and UEFA logo are seen in this illustration taken September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Israeli flag and UEFA logo are seen in this illustration taken September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
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Irish Governing Body Overwhelmingly Backs Call for UEFA to Ban Israel

Israeli flag and UEFA logo are seen in this illustration taken September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
Israeli flag and UEFA logo are seen in this illustration taken September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Members of Irish soccer's governing body voted overwhelmingly on Saturday for its board to request that UEFA immediately suspend Israel from European competitions, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said.

A resolution passed by the FAI members cited alleged violations by Israel's Football Association of two provisions of UEFA statutes: its failure to implement and enforce an effective anti-racism policy and the playing by Israeli clubs in occupied Palestinian territories without the consent of the Palestinian Football Association, Reuters reported.

The resolution was backed by 74 votes, with seven opposed and two abstentions, the FAI said in a statement.

A spokesperson for UEFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

UEFA considered holding a vote early last month on whether to suspend Israel from European competitions over the war in Gaza, a source told Reuters at the time. That did not happen after a US-brokered ceasefire took effect on October 10.

The Irish resolution follows calls in September from the heads of the Turkish and Norwegian soccer governing bodies for Israel to be suspended from international competition.

Those requests came after United Nations experts appealed to FIFA and UEFA to suspend Israel from international football, citing a UN Commission of Inquiry report that said Israel had committed genocide during the war in Gaza.

Israel has denied committing genocide and described the report as scandalous.